Whether it’s the halls of Congress, our state capitals or on the community level, our industry is being targeted frequently. Now more than ever, it’s important for industry members be proactive on the advocacy front. Effective advocacy is about building relationships, and Political Action Committees (PACs), are perhaps the most vital tools we have to accomplish that goal.

PACs so important because associations like the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) are prohibited by federal law from making political contributions to candidates for elective office. Not a dime of membership dues or the operational budget can support officials or candidates. To offset that limitation, federal law allows for the formation of PACs, but there are strict rules. For example, PACs must be completely funded by individual, voluntary contributions.

PACs help provide a cohesive and unified message of what our businesses do and how we impact society as an industry. In other words, a PAC serves as an important way to unify landscape professionals and speak in a singular voice on vital public policy matters.

An organized effort representing the combined interests of an association of many like-minded professionals, such as what is offered by NALP-PAC and other industry PACs, gives us a much better chance to be heard and respected. In other words, decisions are more likely to be made with us, and not for us, so I encourage you to support the NALP-PAC or another industry PAC and get involved in the decision-making process.

To learn more about the National Association of Landscape Professionals Political Action Committee, click here.